On a hot Sunday nite, Marseille made it appear cozy. With six unbeaten preseason games under their belt, a self-assured squad, and Edin Terzić in charge from the touchline, Athletic Club arrived at the Stade Vélodrome. Before their final warm-up against Atalanta in Bergamo, they left with a 3-1 loss and a few things to consider.
The heat was really unbearable. Players who are not accustomed to Marseille’s port-city summers tend to lose energy, as evidenced by the second half’s slow, almost cautious pace. Even tho both teams made adjustments, the game had already changed. All of the pivotal moments occurred earlier in the first half, which proceeded at a speed that Athletic Club most likely did not anticipate.
In the tenth minute, it began. Angel Gomes, a calm, astute player who seems to relish the pressure of an open stadium, intercepted a pass high up the field and drove a solid effort past Alex Padilla from outside the box. It wasn’t an anomaly. It was the kind of goal that comes from a team that, when it regains possession of the ball, knows exactly what it wants to do with it.
Athletic reacted in a manner typical of successful teams. Just after the half-hour mark, they found the equalizer after maintaining possession and working the ball into hazardous areas. Iñaki Williams tested the goalkeeper, and Oihan Sancet, who is always dependable in confined spaces, pounced on a rebound. For a brief moment, it seemed as tho the match was going to start. It didn’t. Igor Paixão’s second long-range goal nearly instantly put Marseille back ahead; two goals from distance in one half is a trend that should be noted rather than disregarded.
Fixtures like this are made more subdued by the history between these two teams. They have faced off four times in competitive football, all in the Europa League: twice in the round of 32 in 2015–16, when Athletic defeated Marseille over two legs, and twice in the round of 16 in 2017–18, when the French team decisively overcame Marseille, winning 5–2 on aggregate. A remnant of those evenings is present. It’s awareness rather than hatred. Friendly scores don’t adequately reflect how well these teams know one another.
Tadjidine Mmadi achieved a clean, low finish by settling it late. With a level of poise that Marseille hopes will carry into the actual season under Bruno Čésio, the teenager slotted it past Padilla. Since it was Athletic’s first preseason loss, Terzić will probably view it as helpful information rather than a reason for alarm.
Beyond the tactical aspects, there is still something that makes Marsella Athletic Club games worthwhile to watch. Both teams have distinct identities: Athletic’s philosophical dedication to Basque-only players sets them apart from nearly every other professional team in the world, while Marseille embodies the wild, working-class energy of the Vélodrome faithful. Even in August, there is a difference between them when they share a pitch that extends beyond formations.
On August 14, the Lions will conclude their preparations in Bergamo. A friendly loss on a steamy nite at the Vélodrome hurts for a while, but seasoned teams quickly learn from and move on from such a setback. Only the season itself will determine whether Terzić’s team will view this match as a wake-up call or just a pleasant August evening.
